Tuesday 26 January 2010

Boxing idioms go the distance


You wouldn't know it today but the sport of boxing has had a huge influence on our culture. In the period between the wars and in the 'golden age' of the Fifties and Sixties, boxing was perhaps the only sport which crossed national, class, and racial boundaries. That is the reason that people like Muhammad Ali are truly global stars in a way that Pele, for all his fame in footballing circles, could never be ('soccer' has never captured the popular imagination in North America).
However, one area where boxing's enormous impact is still felt is the English language. It occurred to me the other day when I heard someone with little or no knowledge of boxing talking about "throwing in the towel". I wondered if she knew where the expression came from or whether, as seems more likely, it has just become a part of our everyday language. So, sad as it seems, I sat down to compile a list of all the boxing idioms still in use today.
Here goes:

on the ropes
out for the count
saved by the bell
to come out swinging
to take it on the chin
to beat someone to the punch
blow-by-blow
down-and-out
glass jaw
to go the distance
to have someone in your corner
to describe somone as a "heavy-hitter" or a "heavyweight"
below the belt/low blow
in-fighting
KO
TKO
knock-out
to describe someone as a "lightweight"
to give someone "the old one-two"
to pull your punches
punch drunk
to take a ringside seat
to roll with the punches
sparring partner
sucker punch
to square up / square off
the gloves are off
to throw in the towel
to throw one's hat in the ring (apparently this was how early fights started)

If you can think of any more to add to the list, then let me know. I'm sure there are loads I haven't thought of.

3 comments:

  1. to toe the line
    up to scratch
    to show someone the ropes

    fists are reffered to as dukes wich comes from boxing .

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  2. "...people like Muhammad Ali are truly global stars in a way that Pele, for all his fame in footballing circles, could never be..."

    Are you serious? Jesus Christ, that's gotta be the most ignorant comment I've ever heard.

    Pele is by far a star more global than Ali will ever be. Football is the world's most supported sport by sheer numbers of participation and tournaments, on all continents.

    Maybe boxing was once a big deal in the USA, but it sure as hell ain't what it once was, in the day and age of Ali.

    Check yourself before you wreck yourself, buddy.

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    Replies
    1. You are ignoring the social and political aspects involved in his statement. Pele was known JUST for football where-as Ali was heavily involved in the Civil Rights movement as well as Religious freedom and yea, was also a boxer.

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